83 1100E - tube or tubeless?

[dpep]

I don't mount my own tires. The guy locally who does some of that for me tells me that that the rims on my 83 1100E are not for tubeless. They lack the raised lip for securing them on. I had assumed that by 1983 all of the GSs would have tubeless rims. I know my '80 850 had tubeless rear and by '81 the G models had tubeless front and rear.

I checked my wheels against the same year 1100Es in the gallery, and they appear to be stock original.

I am curious what other 1100E owners running--tubes or tubeless?

 

[rapidray]

I have run them tubeless since I had my first 83. I even run the 18 inch 450 front wheel tubeless with a slick on the dragbikes. Never had an issue. Ray.

 

[Steve]

Don, take a look in the black area of the rim. There will be information there about the size of the rim.
Look in the space right after that, it should say "Tubeless Tire Applicable" if it's OK to go tubeless.

.

 

[sharpy]

May i say something?

May i say something?

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[SVSooke]

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=164974
Already covered here is what he means,I think

 

[Nessism]

I don't think Suzuki made a tubeless 19" in that pattern. Rears are available tubeless though, the 3rd generation 750's and the 1150 had them. Some people convert to tubeless with tube type wheels, but many shops won't do this kind of work for you so you may be on your own if you go this route.

 

[twr1776]

Don, I think the 83E rims were set up for tubes only but there are some of the Midwest GSers I know of running that type of rim and some of the earlier mag tube type rims without tubes. My bikes are all tubeless but the other rims can be modified with either a counter bore to flatten the surface area on the inside of rim for an OEM or aftermarket valve stem or also the hole enlarged in diameter to use a car type pull through rubber valve stem. I am sure someone here knows the exact counterbore type and size used for this, I do not.

Tubeless on a tube rim is a lot like oil threads, there are many, many, many opinions on it pro and con and it is a personal choice.

I do not know if your tire person would put a tubeless on a modified rim or if there would be a liability issue for them to do it.

This is a similar shape to the counterbore I have seen used for the modification.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#cap-screw-counterbores/=8tcsqz

 

[dpep]

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=164974
Already covered here is what he means,I think

No, that thread doesn't address my question. It asks about a 78 1000 which was clearly prior to common adoption of tubeless. In fact it added to my confusion because one of the answers given for that problem was to use rims from my model, 83 1100, stated as tubeless. I also could not find the information in the Haynes manual or in any of the old magazine reviews of the bike when it was new (they all just say "cast") .

I know about the "tubeless tire applicable" lettering and extra step on some cast rims and not others. I also know that many people run tubeless on cast wheels without those two features. The thing I have a hard time understanding is why the rear wheel in my 1980 850 is stamped for tubeless and the rear wheel on the '83 1100, built three years later as one of its flagship models for that year, is not.

I don't think I was alone in assuming that all Suzuki models by 83, particularly the large ones, had tubeless tires. If not, the logical question would be "why not?" I am wondering if it had something to do with sport bike vs. touring bike?

I am also interested in others' experiences running tubeless on their 1100Es. I think that is the way I will probably end up going anyway.

 

[Guest]

Tubeless on a tube rim is a lot like oil threads, there are many, many, many opinions on it pro and con and it is a personal choice.

Yes personal choice, but bottom line... the rims weren't designed to run tubeless from the factory. Some have complained of gradual air loss too, after going tubeless. Strange, that Suzuki did not equip the '83 1100E with tubeless rims, even though it designed new wheels for that model year.:-k

 

[Sunburn]

Mine has tubes in it. it's an '83. Why chance it, keep the tubes in there.


There was some confusion at the shop. The rims don't say tubeless but other rims in that time where tubeless. Some '83 gs where tubeless.


Just not mine and apparently yours.

 

[Baatfam]

Don...talk to Joe Nardy. He has done this with dozens if not hundreds of tube type wheels.
You may need to modify the valve stem hole to take a tubeless valve stem.

 

[Sunburn]

what's the down side of running tubes??

 

[Baatfam]

what's the down side of running tubes??

Big thing to me is road side repair.

 

[koolaid_kid]

First, to answer the original question: 1983 1100Es are tube wheels. Brian and I discovered this on my bike late last year when we put Avon RoadRiders on it.
Second, Brian purchased a mill-type drill bit and milled out a section of the wheel so that tubeless valve stems would fit and not leak. We tried it without the mill and they leaked.
Third, after Brian milled the wheel, they have not leaked a bit. And I much prefer running tubeless.
Best of luck.

 

[SVSooke]

I think the message of that thread was if it does not say tubeless they are not.I agree with you it's very strange that Suzuki did 19s tube while the 16 and 17 on the 750 are clearly marked tubeless.

 

[sharpy]

You could fit a yz600 gearbox in a katata but just because you can doenst mean its a good thing. Stick to the labels/warnings and be safe. Too many things out there ready to kill you, why add one more. Yes people do run them tubeless, thats there choice. My boss even ran this bike tubless but i didnt ride it with that setup. (lots of silicone and duct tape)

 

[sharpy]

I think the message of that thread was if it does not say tubeless they are not.I agree with you it's very strange that Suzuki did 19s tube while the 16 and 17 on the 750 are clearly marked tubeless.

Suzuki did a lot of strange things. My "S" DID NOT come with a seat grab rail but people say it did. I was there when the first owner brought the bike and it was still a vinyl seat when i got it later on. The 850 had one tube and one tubless rim, The XN85 after they made the XR69. Shall i rave on? lol

 

[Sunburn]

Big thing to me is road side repair.

It's the only thing I could think of. No quick plug to get you home.

But then, 20 years of riding I have only had one flat. (knock, knock)

 

[bonanzadave]

But then, 20 years of riding I have only had one flat. (knock, knock)

I was running Dunlaps with tubes last year when I ran over a machine screw. 12 miles from home. 10 bucks a mile for the tow truck ! I had a local guy put on Road Riders for me (10 bucks a wheel) without tubes. I had to retighten the nuts on the valve stems and now their tight as a drum .

 

[Sunburn]

I've got roadside assistance with my insurance. It cost extra $9 a year.


Much better then calling my wife and have her drive out with the kids in my truck